Bartleby The Scrivener Research Paper

The Isolation of Bartleby the Scrivener
The phrase, “I prefer not to” (Melville 2336) has become an iconic saying to fight the war on capitalism. This expression has resulted in a deeper analysis of what it means to conform to the values that society places upon the public. In this essay I will discuss, the links between communal values and capitalism. In this essay I will argue that challenging communal values in society leads to isolation, as seen in Herman Melville’s, Bartleby the Scrivener. The character of Bartleby possess many characteristics and makes many decisions that lead him into isolation. His journey into solitary confinement begins with four simple words, “I prefer not to” (Melville 2336).
Bartleby begins his journey as a scribe for and elderly lawyer. His job, at first, seems quite simple and he succeeds at it with ease. As the story progresses …show more content…
The idea of remaining stagnate in one area for the duration of one’s life contradicts the strong work ethic and capitalist nature of society. Bartleby isolates himself from the rest of the world by living at his place of work. By having no social prospects Bartleby sinks further into a mind frame of individual values and retreats from any hope of branching into the community. This results in the lawyer further trying to promote Bartleby to leave without any luck. As a result Bartleby becomes a vagrant. Within society vagrancy holds negative implications. As a vagrant Bartleby was isolated further from those around him and fell into a rhythm of existing without any outside contact. Vagrancy breaks communal values on a number of levels. Primarily, it means that you are not putting into the economy by spending or making profit which contradicts the capitalist structure of society. It also places stereotypes upon Bartleby, which he is lazy or delusional or idle without purpose. This begins the downfall as

Show More

Related Documents: Bartleby The Scrivener Research Paper

Bartleby The Scrivener Research Paper

Literature and Class Writing Exercises Essay